Category Archives: Boating

Newport Harbor Boat Crash Injures 4

A boating collision in Newport Harbor left four people injured and two vessels damaged, Sunday evening.

At approximately 8:20 p.m., sheriff officials were called to respond to the accident that happened near the Newport Harbor entrance.

Officials arrived to the scene and found that two boats had crashed in the harbor and as a result people were thrown overboard and injured. After further investigation, it was determined that both vessels had been traveling at high speeds in the five mile per hour zone prior to the wreck.

Lt. Lloyd Downing of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department told reporters that officials are investigating further details of the events that lead to the Newport Beach boat crash and whether any of the people piloting the boats were intoxicated.

Aboard the two boats, a 22-foot Whaler and a 27-foot Rayson, were seven people. The boats were heading towards each other and when they tried to escape the crash, it was too late. The boats were wrecked and had to be pulled from the harbor with a crane.

The sheriff’s Harbor Patrol responded to the accident and was able to account for all seven passengers, including the three women and one man that were thrown overboard at the time of Orange County high-speed boat collision.

Lt. Mike Janson of the Harbor Patrol told reporters that one person that was tossed into the water had facial cuts and complained of knee and forearm pain. Emergency personnel tended to those who were injured and all four people were hospitalized. Further information regarding their injuries has not been made public.

Aside from speeding, there are many common factors that may have contributed to the boating crash. Distracted driving, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and breaking waterway laws are contributing factors of waterway collisions, which can cause serious damage to people and their property.

It has been our experience, here at Dara Khajavi Law Offices that in the event of a boat accident occurring at high speeds, the people riding the boat tend to incur more serious injuries on average than those who crash at lower velocities.

No matter how bad your Orange County boating accident is, give us a call before you contact an insurance company and file a claim. Call us at (877) 782-3777 for more information. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for your convenience and offer FREE consultations. We would like to hear about your case and let you know how we can assist you.

Watersport Safety Tips

Summer is almost here, and the weather is definitely heating up. It is time to hit the beach, rivers, and lakes for some fun in the sun. Watersports are a great way to soak up the sun and enjoy the waters. Just like any other activity, watersports can also be dangerous. Follow these safety tips and you can have a fun and safe trip.

  • Learn how to swim

To safely enjoy watersports, you should learn how to swim. The ocean, rivers, and lakes can be quite dangerous if you are not a strong swimmer. It is even dangerous if you are a strong swimmer. Children especially need to learn how to swim since they are more susceptible to drowning. If you partake in watersports quite often, you should learn how to perform CPR.  Lifeguards may not always be readily available. If you perform CPR on someone, you could save their life.

  • Wear a life jacket

Life jackets are an important safety precaution. If you are going to be on the water, wear a life jacket. Waves and currents can be quite strong. A strong wave can drag even the strongest swimmers out to sea. Drowning often occurs because of strong waters. A life jacket is additional protection that everyone should use. Water can be unpredictable, and a life jacket can save your life.

  • Never go out on the water alone

A day out on the water alone seems nice and relaxing, but it can be quite dangerous. If something happens while you’re out on the water, there is no one to help you. Accidents happen quite often.  It is a good idea to have a friend with you.

  • Tell someone

Let a friend know what your plan is. This person should know where you are going, what you are doing, and when you should be done. If you don’t report back to your friend, your friend can alert the authorities and tell them where you should be. Imagine being stranded out on the water because ran out of gas. If you told a friend, emergency authorities could come find you and rescue. If you did not tell anyone, you could be stuck out there for a while. Unfortunately, cell phone service is not available everywhere. Telling a friend is much more reliable.

Follow these tips, and you will have a fun and enjoyable trip on the water.

If you are ever in an accident on the water, contact a Newport beach personal injury lawyer.